Michael J. Visscher

Michael James Visscher opened his eyes on the world October 15, 1950, and his light went out on March 25, 2021. The youngest and most favorite child of Carl and Della Visscher grew to be the tallest in the family at 6’ 6”. His height was greatly appreciated by his loving wife Judy Noreen Visscher as she was much shorter, and couldn’t reach the top shelves in their Holland home of 43 years.

A Singles Volleyball group drew Mike and Judy together in 1977, and within three dates, they proposed to each other. Although Judy never did say “I do” at their wedding in 1978, Mike kept the signed marriage license close at hand as proof. Four children showed up in succession, every 3-4 years: Nicholas Carl, Kristina Sophia, Katherine Rose, and Carolina Marie. Additional children brought more joy into Mike and Judy’s life later; Jordan Winters and Donzel Hubbert as life partners for Nicholas and Katherine. The family grew again as Kate and Donzel introduced grandchildren Chanelle Rose Jackson, Donzel Terell and Aurielle Rena to the family tribe.

Mike received a Bachelor of Science in Education from Central Michigan University in 1974. Although he never became the elementary teacher he planned on being, he did “educate” over 60 children as they moved through his in-home childcare business, aptly named “Mr. Mom’s Family Day Care”, while he also stayed at home to raise his own children. Many good times were experienced in the mini-van, at area playgrounds and with Mike wearing a crazy moose hat, chasing the children around the house outside to the delight of his charges, and the alarm of his neighbors.

Mike also got involved in many social agencies in the Holland area: Head Start, Child and Family Services, Big Brother program, Holland Day Care, Girl Scouts (yes, he was a Girl Scout!), Community Kitchen, First United Methodist Church’s Hispanic Outreach and recently their Refresh Shower Ministry for the homeless. Many of the U of M t-shirts seen around Holland were donated by Mike. Go Blue!

Mike loved camping and traveling with the family, except for the long hikes that were never as short as advertised by his wife, driving in the mountains (be they hills or cliffs) and looking at “big rocks” (aka Devils Tower and Mt. Rushmore). He did enjoy Caribbean cruising, especially the 7-day family cruise in 2015 where he did his best to help our family team win a competition by doing the “worm” on the arena floor. We did not win but we sure gained a treasured memory.

Mike loved watching sports, especially Hope College football and basketball, which he attended for over 45 years with his “little brother” Daniel Castillo, and later with his son-in-law Donzel. He attended Holland High football games with his wife, but definitely preferred going with “the guys”, as Judy talked too much…..

Mike was preceded into the unknown by his parents Carl and Della, sisters Judy (Ted Engel), Carla (Pete DeJonge, Harvey Wierda), and Donna (Don Holley). He is survived by his wife, children and grandchildren listed above, as well as by his brothers Carl (Barb VanHattum) and Hank (Cora Kaepernick); sisters Beverley (Bill Bolen), Sharon (Andrew Sens), Trudy (Joe Glegola), Joan (Roy Cobb), and Linda Visscher; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Pending safe travels for the living during this COVID era, an open, masked, and socially distanced Visitation will be held on Saturday, May 15, 2-5 pm at Dykstra Funeral Home, Mulder Chapel at 188 32nd Street, Holland, MI. Donations may be sent in Mike’s memory to the Refresh Shower Ministry, in care of First United Methodist Church, 57 W 10th St, Holland, MI 49423.